Investigation of Thursday’s House Fire Continues

Posted: Fri 5:48 PM, Feb 14, 2003&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Fri 5:48 PM, Feb 14, 2003

A Tallahassee family is picking through the rubble of what was once their home.

An explosion and fire destroyed their property Thursday and critically injured their son. Cathy and Wayne Somerset have lost almost their entire home. Their 26-year-old son, Chris, is in a Tampa hospital's burn unit.

The Somerset’s are with their son at that Tampa hospital. Other family members tell us Chris' condition is critical. They're going through what's left.

Little things have new meaning for the Somerset family. They're grateful to find anything that's left. .Neighbors are pitching in, the backyard clothesline now full of clothes that are fine, just smoky. Before the cleanup started, investigators searched for clues. One possible explosion source?

A propane tank found in the garage. It's an older model without a current safety valve.

But investigators can't talk to their best witness until he gets better. Neighbor Phil Krout might have saved Chris Somerset's life by running inside this house seconds after the blast.

But this family has plenty to think about now. What to do with what's left. How to replace what's lost.

And friends may establish a fund if you'd like to do something to help the Somersets. We'll let you know if that happens.

The neighborhood has nothing but praise for fire department and law enforcement; they kept the fire from destroying two neighboring homes.

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Fire Safety Tips and Prevention

Smoke Detectors

Smoke is responsible for three out of four deaths.

Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas.

Test every detector at least once a month.

Keep smoke detectors dust free. Replace batteries with new ones at least once a year, or sooner if the detector makes a chirping sound.

If you have a smoke detector directly wired into your electrical system, be sure that the little signal light is blinking periodically. This tells you that the alarm is active.

Smoke detectors are also available for the hearing and visually impaired.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers remain your best bet if you're on the spot when a fire begins.

Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage and workshop.

Purchase an ABC type extinguisher for extinguishing all types of fires.

Learn how to use your fire extinguisher before there is an emergency.

Use an extinguisher on small fires only. If there is a large fire, get out immediately and call 911 from another location.

Thinking Ahead: Your Exit Plan

As with other things, the best motto is, "Be Prepared."

Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room.

Sleep with your bedroom door closed. In the event of fire, it helps to hold back heat and smoke. If a door feels hot, do not open it; escape through another door or window.

Easy-to-use window escape ladders are available through many catalogues and outlet stores.

Agree on a fixed location out-of-doors where family members are to gather for a head count.

Stay together away from the fire. Call 911 from another location. Make certain that no one goes back inside the burning building.

Check corridors and stairways to make sure they are free of obstructions and combustibles.

To help cut down on the need for an emergency exit in the first place, clear all unnecessary items from the attic, basement, garage and closets.

In many older homes, the capacity of the wiring system has not kept pace with today's modern appliances. Overloaded electrical systems invite fire. Watch for these overload signals: dimming lights when an appliance goes on, a shrinking TV picture, slow heating appliances or fuses blowing frequently. Call a qualified electrician to get expert help.

Kitchen

Careless cooking is the number one cause of residential fires.

Never leave cooking unattended.

Have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Keep it 10 feet away from the stove on the exit side of the kitchen.

Never pour water on a grease fire; turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid, or close the oven door.

Keep pot handles on the stove pointing to the back, and always watch young children in the kitchen.

Don't store items on the stove top, as they could catch fire.

Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition, and turn them off and disconnect them when not in use.

Wear tight-fitting clothing when you cook. Here's why: An electrical coil on the stove reaches a temperature of 800°. A gas flame goes over 1,000°. Your dishtowel or potholder can catch fire at 400°. So can your bathrobe, apron or loose sleeve.

Be sure your stove is not located under a window in which curtains are hanging.

Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly and wipe up spilled grease as soon as the surface of the stove is cool.

Operate your microwave only when there is food in it.

Children

One-fourth of all fire-deaths of children are from fires started by children.

Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.

Never leave children unattended with fire or space heaters.

Children are naturally curious about fire, so keep an eye on them. But if a child repeatedly plays with fire or seems to have a morbid fascination with fire, seek professional help at once.

If youngsters live with you or stay overnight occasionally, be sure that they know how to escape from every room and are part of your emergency exit plan.

Gasoline and Other Flammable Liquids

Those cans aren't painted red just for the fun of it.

Flammable liquids should be stored only in approved safety containers, and the containers should be kept outside the house and garage in a separate storage shed.

Gas up lawn equipment and snow throwers outside, away from enclosed areas and any source of sparks or heat.

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